A EURO MP has warned that Bolton and other towns around Manchester could miss out on exploiting the full potential of the Commonwealth Games.

Sir Robert Atkins warned that tourism chiefs would never be forgiven if Manchester was allowed to bag the majority of cash the event is likely to generate.

But Cllr John Byrne, executive member for culture at Bolton Council, said the town's push for the Games was already in place -- ready to boost the town's coffers by as much as £30 million.

Next year, he said, the Bolton Visitor Guide would include a Games insert and the council said it was working closely with the tourism sector to maximise take up of hotel beds in the town.

Commonwealth Games organisers are helping to set up a website called Games Exchange to promote the region. It will detail hotels, attractions and directions to leading cities including Liverpool.

According to Lesley Giddins, manager of the Games' legacy programme, 35 local authorities in the North-west are working together on promoting tourism.

She said: "The area as a whole will benefit from these Games and that has always been the point of bringing them to Manchester.

"Rest assured that everyone who visits the city next year will have ample information on all the attractions in the North-west."

Cllr Byrne supported Mrs Giddins' claim that Manchester would not be the only beneficiary of the Games.

He said: "Bolton is a host venue for four events and we are clearly looking to maximise the tourism and business benefits for the town.

"We are developing and delivering the 'See It Live in Bolton' promotional branding and we are linking that with campaigns aimed at raising the town's profile worldwide."

Bolton is the only other North-west town hosting a sport during the 10-day event.

Badminton will be played throughout the tournament from July 25 to August 4 while cycling is to be hosted at Rivington.

Sir Robert spoke out after hearing apparently conflicting comments made by the North West Tourist Board and the British Tourist Authority.

He said: "The Tourist Board would never be forgiven if it failed to exploit the full potential of the games in its planning.

"Surely we must be doing every thing in our power to use this global event to shout about the North-west. To focus on Manchester to the detriment of elsewhere is a horrendous error of judgement."

In October, NWTB spokesman Simon Dey warned that Cheshire, Merseyside, Lancashire and Cumbria would largely miss out on the cash generated by the Games.

He said the majority of spectators would be coming from Manchester and hotel stays would be largely confined to the city.

But last week, the British Tourist Authority said it wanted to use the Games to promote attractions in the whole of the North-west, prompting Sir Robert, the North-west MEP, to call for "clear leadership".

Cllr Byrne said Bolton and the other nine Greater Manchester districts had worked with their North-west counterparts to promote the Games across the region.

He said: "I don't think anyone associated with the Games is sitting back. It's a tremendous opportunity for the region and one we cannot -- and will not -- miss."

Companies such as the BBC have packed into Bolton's hotels. The Holiday Inn Express, on Arena Approach, Horwich, is close to putting up "no vacancy" signs.

Accommodation management company Sportsworld is dealing with bookings and has signed hotels including the New Pack Horse, in Nelson Square, Bolton, the Last Drop Hotel, in Hospital Road, Bromley Cross, and the Posthouse Hotel, in Beaumont Road, Bolton.

A spokesman said: "We have 4,500 beds throughout Greater Manchester. We are not just focusing on the city centre."

A EURO MP has warned that Bolton and other towns around Manchester could miss out on exploiting the full potential of the Commonwealth Games.

Sir Robert Atkins warned that tourism chiefs would never be forgiven if Manchester was allowed to bag the majority of cash the event is likely to generate.

But Cllr John Byrne, executive member for culture at Bolton Council, said the town's push for the Games was already in place -- ready to boost the town's coffers by as much as £30 million.

Next year, he said, the Bolton Visitor Guide would include a Games insert and the council said it was working closely with the tourism sector to maximise take up of hotel beds in the town.

Commonwealth Games organisers are helping to set up a website called Games Exchange to promote the region. It will detail hotels, attractions and directions to leading cities including Liverpool.

According to Lesley Giddins, manager of the Games' legacy programme, 35 local authorities in the North-west are working together on promoting tourism.

She said: "The area as a whole will benefit from these Games and that has always been the point of bringing them to Manchester.

"Rest assured that everyone who visits the city next year will have ample information on all the attractions in the North-west."

Cllr Byrne supported Mrs Giddins' claim that Manchester would not be the only beneficiary of the Games.

He said: "Bolton is a host venue for four events and we are clearly looking to maximise the tourism and business benefits for the town.

"We are developing and delivering the 'See It Live in Bolton' promotional branding and we are linking that with campaigns aimed at raising the town's profile worldwide."

Bolton is the only other North-west town hosting a sport during the 10-day event.

Badminton will be played throughout the tournament from July 25 to August 4 while cycling is to be hosted at Rivington.

Sir Robert spoke out after hearing apparently conflicting comments made by the North West Tourist Board and the British Tourist Authority.

He said: "The Tourist Board would never be forgiven if it failed to exploit the full potential of the games in its planning.

"Surely we must be doing every thing in our power to use this global event to shout about the North-west. To focus on Manchester to the detriment of elsewhere is a horrendous error of judgement."

In October, NWTB spokesman Simon Dey warned that Cheshire, Merseyside, Lancashire and Cumbria would largely miss out on the cash generated by the Games.

He said the majority of spectators would be coming from Manchester and hotel stays would be largely confined to the city.

But last week, the British Tourist Authority said it wanted to use the Games to promote attractions in the whole of the North-west, prompting Sir Robert, the North-west MEP, to call for "clear leadership".

Cllr Byrne said Bolton and the other nine Greater Manchester districts had worked with their North-west counterparts to promote the Games across the region.

He said: "I don't think anyone associated with the Games is sitting back. It's a tremendous opportunity for the region and one we cannot -- and will not -- miss."

Companies such as the BBC have packed into Bolton's hotels. The Holiday Inn Express, on Arena Approach, Horwich, is close to putting up "no vacancy" signs.

Accommodation management company Sportsworld is dealing with bookings and has signed hotels including the New Pack Horse, in Nelson Square, Bolton, the Last Drop Hotel, in Hospital Road, Bromley Cross, and the Posthouse Hotel, in Beaumont Road, Bolton.

A spokesman said: "We have 4,500 beds throughout Greater Manchester. We are not just focusing on the city centre."